401(k) Spend It or Save It Calculator

Get a 401(k) Spend It or Save It Calculator branded for your website! Colorful, interactive, simply The Best Financial Calculators!

There are several ways to manage your 401(k) balance when you leave an employer. The most fundamental of which is should you spend it or save it? Depending on your age and tax bracket, making the wrong decision can cost you thousands of dollars both in taxes and lost earnings. This calculator helps illustrate the difference.

JavaScript is required for this calculator. If you are using Internet Explorer, you may need to select to 'Allow Blocked Content' to view this calculator.

For more information about these financial calculators please visit: Dinkytown.net Financial Calculators from KJE Computer Solutions, Inc.

401(k) Spend It or Save It Calculator Definitions

Current age: Your current age.
Age at retirement: Age you wish to retire. The tool calculates the ending balance at retirement for each of your rollover options.
Federal income tax rate: Consult the table below to determine your federal tax bracket. If you are unsure, the calculator will choose 25%. Please note that state taxes are entered in a separate entry field. **TAXTABLE_CURRENT_DEFINITION**
State income tax rate: The current state marginal tax rate you expect to pay on any additional income (or taxable distributions).
Current 401(k) balance: The starting balance or current amount you have invested or saved in your 401(k).
Annual rate of return: The annual rate of return for your 401(k) account. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31^st 2023, had an annual compounded rate of return of 15.2%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31^st 2023, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.9% (source: www.spglobal.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a financial institution may pay as little as 0.25% or less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.
It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.